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ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Aims: Clinical outcomes for patients suspected of having heart failure (HF) who do not meet the diagnostic criteria of any type of HF by echocardiography remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical predictors of all-cause mortality in patients with suspected HF, a raised N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and who do not meet the diagnostic criteria of any type of HF by echocardiography.

Methods And Results: Relevant data were taken from the Sheffield HEArt Failure (SHEAF) registry (222349P4). Read More

Cardiol Res 2020 Jun 3;11(3):155-167. Epub 2020 May 3.

Department of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.

Background: Atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is a common complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The mechanism of atrioventricular (AV) block during TAVR is not fully understood, but it may be due to the mechanical stress of TAVR deployment, resulting in possible injury to the nearby compact AV node. Aortic valve calcification (AVC) may worsen this condition and has been associated with an increased risk for post-TAVR PPM implantation. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2020 May 31. Epub 2020 May 31.

Virginia Commonwealth University, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Richmond, VA, USA.

Deglutition syncope is a rare neurally mediated reflex syncope associated with swallowing. It is typically associated with pharyngoesophageal disorders with secondary abnormal vagal reflex causing atrioventricular cardiac block and cerebral hypoperfusion. Diagnosis can be delayed and challenging. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine-IKEM, Videnska 1958/9, 140 21, Prague 4, Czech Republic.

A 19-year-old woman with no previous cardiac history was admitted to the hospital with third-degree atrioventricular block and left ventricular dysfunction. Her condition quickly deteriorated to severe biventricular failure and cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support. An endomyocardial biopsy revealed lymphocytic myocarditis with no PCR-detectable viral genomes, with CD8 T-cell predominance and pro-inflammatory macrophage expansion shown by myocardial flow cytometry. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(21):e19970

Department of Cardiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences.

Introduction: The RF ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or atrial flutter (AFl) can be unsuccessful due to lack of lesion transmurality. Bipolar ablation (BA) is more successful than unipolar ablation (UA). The purpose of our study was to investigate the long-term effect of BA ablation in patients after failed UA. Read More

J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2019 Apr 15;10(4):3620-3622. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

FateBeneFratelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.

Patients with third-degree atrioventricular block implanted with a dual-chamber pacemaker in DDD mode can develop pacemaker-mediated tachycardias if retrograde ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction is present. Programming a long post-VA refractory period to avoid tachycardia initiation can be contraindicated if these patients have a good atrial response from exercise testing and require a high maximum tracking rate to allow for a proper response to sensed atrial rhythms. We report a case of a patient in whom mapping and ablation of retrograde conduction during the pacemaker-mediated rhythm was the only solution to allow both the programming of a high tracking rate and the elimination of tachycardia induction. Read More

J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2019 Apr 15;10(4):3617-3619. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA.

Intact retrograde ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction in the presence of complete atrioventricular (AV) heart block has been well-documented in the past. We sought to describe the prevalence and clinical significance of intact VA conduction accompanied by complete antegrade AV block in patients with implanted cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices. During routine follow-up of CRM devices in our device clinic, 42 patients were found to be in a state of complete heart block. Read More

J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2019 May 15;10(5):3652-3661. Epub 2019 May 15.

Section of Electrophysiology & Pacing, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor Scott & White Temple Memorial Hospital, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dallas, TX, USA.

Temporary cardiac pacing is commonly used in patients with life-threatening bradycardia and serves as a bridge to implantation of a permanent pacemaker (PPM). For years, passive fixation leads have been used for this purpose, offering the advantage of that they can be placed at bedside. The downside, however, is that patients must remain on telemetry and bed rest until lead removal due to the risk of displacement and failure to capture. Read More

J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2019 Dec 15;10(12):3924-3928. Epub 2019 Dec 15.

Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island, IL, USA.

Atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation is a strategy to manage patients with drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure in whom cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation has been prescribed. This study describes a practical method to perform these two procedures using the same surgical site. Twenty-seven patients were indicated for AVN ablation and concurrent CRT device implantation while presenting with AF and rapid ventricular response (RVR) refractory to medical therapy. Read More

J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2019 Oct 15;10(10):3848-3852. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.

Capture management algorithms in current cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can enhance device performance and battery longevity. Although generally safe, these algorithms have on rare occasions been implicated in the onset of significant complications, especially in pacemaker-dependent patients. CIEDs implanted in patients with postoperative congenital heart disease (CHD) often require epicardial pacing leads rather than transvenous leads; unfortunately, epicardial leads can experience higher rates of malfunction. Read More

Cardiovasc Interv Ther 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Pediatric Cardiac Center, College of Medicine, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) is an alternative treatment of surgery. However, because of the potential risk of the complete atrioventricular block (AVB) and the lack of available dedicated devices for VSD, this procedure rarely used most centers. Recently in Thailand, with distinct device design that may cause less clamp force and radial force, the AmplatzerDuct Occluder (ADO) II has become available for the closure of small VSDs. Read More

HeartRhythm Case Rep 2020 May 14;6(5):290. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.

HeartRhythm Case Rep 2020 May 14;6(5):290. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Department of Cardiology, Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey.

HeartRhythm Case Rep 2020 May 25;6(5):261-264. Epub 2020 Jan 25.

Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Postgraduate Course in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.

Toxicol Commun 2020 30;4(1):40-42. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

The media have featured the antimalarials chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat coronavirus (COVID-19). Political leaders have touted their use and recommended availability to the public. These anti-inflammatory agents have substantial human toxicity with a narrow therapeutic window. Read More

Cureus 2020 Apr 21;12(4):e7761. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Pediatrics, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, USA.

Lamin A/C (LMNA) cardiomyopathy is an adult-onset, autosomal dominant, rapidly progressive cardiomyopathy which belongs to a spectrum of familial idiopathic cardiomyopathies. It is the most common type of familial dilated cardiomyopathy that is associated with conduction defects. A 76-year-old African American female with second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block presented for evaluation of persistent fatigue. Read More

Emerg Med Int 2020 11;2020:7695638. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) is the graphical display of electrical potential differences of an electric field originating in the heart. Interpretation of ECG is a core clinical skill in the department of emergency medicine. The main aim of this survey was to assess competency of ECG interpretation among 2018 graduating class medical students in Addis Ababa University and Haramaya University. Read More

J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2020 May 25. Epub 2020 May 25.

The Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute (KCHRI), HCA MidWest, Overland Park, KS, 66221, USA.

Purpose: Idiopathic junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is typically refractory to antiarrhythmic agents. Catheter ablation for JET is feasible but is associated with high risk of unintended atrioventricular (AV) block. There is limited data on the appropriate procedural technique and clinical outcomes with catheter ablation for idiopathic JET in adults. Read More

Europace 2020 May 25. Epub 2020 May 25.

Laboratory of Biochemistry, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France.

Either central or peripheral baroreceptor reflex abnormalities and/or alterations in neurohumoral mechanisms play a pivotal role in the genesis of neurally mediated syncope. Thus, improving our knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms underlying specific forms of neurally mediated syncope (more properly termed 'neurohumoral syncope') might allow the development of new therapies that are effective in this specific subgroup. A low-adenosine phenotype of neurohumoral syncope has recently been identified. Read More

J Echocardiogr 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto Okamoto Memorial Hospital, 100, Nishinokuchi, Sayama, Kumiyama, Kyoto, 613-0034, Japan.

J Atr Fibrillation 2020 Feb-Mar;12(5):2299. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Istanbul, Turkey.

A 65-year-old female who underwent cardioneuroablation for recurrent vasovagal syncope presented for 6 month follow-up visit. She had no further syncope after the procedure. A follow up tilt table testing (TT) demonstrated sinus tachycardia and variable degrees of atrioventricular block (AVB) after sublingual glyceryl trinitrate. Read More

J Exp Biol 2020 May 19. Epub 2020 May 19.

University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

At critically high temperature, cardiac output in fish collapses due to depression of heart rate (bradycardia). However, the cause of bradycardia remains unresolved. To this end rainbow trout (; acclimated at +12°C) were exposed to acute warming, while electrocardiograms were recorded. Read More

Pflugers Arch 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

School of Medicine and Surgery, Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are expressed as four different isoforms (HCN1-4) in the heart and in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the voltage range of activation, HCN channels carry an inward current mediated by Na and K, termed I in the heart and I in neurons. Altered function of HCN channels, mainly HCN4, is associated with sinus node dysfunction and other arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and atrioventricular block. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 May 18;10(1):8139. Epub 2020 May 18.

Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves. Granada, Granada, Spain.

The treatment of patients with bifascicular block (BFB) and syncope in the absence of structural heart disease (SHD) is not well defined. The objective of our study is to compare pacemaker empirical implantation with the use of electrophysiological studies (EPS). This is a prospective cohort study that included 77 patients with unexplained cardiogenic syncope and BFB without structural heart disease between 1997 and 2012. Read More

Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2020 May 18;13(5):e008082. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (S.S. R.T.W.).

Background: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in early life and has been implicated in ≈10% of sudden infant deaths and unexplained stillbirths. The purpose of our study was to use fetal magnetocardiography to characterize the electrophysiology and rhythm phenotypes of fetuses with de novo and inherited LQTS variants and identify risk factors for sudden death before birth.

Methods: We reviewed the fetal magnetocardiography database from the University of Wisconsin Biomagnetism Laboratory for fetuses with confirmed LQTS. Read More

J Int Med Res 2020 May;48(5):300060520923495

Na Homolce Hospital, Cardiovascular Center, Prague, Czech Republic.

His bundle pacing is a relatively new method of cardiac pacing. This method is used in patients with atrioventricular block to prevent heart failure associated with right ventricular pacing, and in patients with bundle branch block and cardiomyopathy. We report a patient with cardiomyopathy and left bundle branch block with failure of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Read More

Int Heart J 2020 May 15;61(3):463-469. Epub 2020 May 15.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University.

Recently, we developed a novel acute myocardial infarction (AMI) risk stratification system (nARS), which stratifies AMI patients into low- (L), intermediate- (I), and high- (H) risk groups. We have shown that the nARS shortened the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay as well as that of hospitalization. However, the incidence of AMI-related adverse outcomes has not been fully investigated. Read More

Cardiovasc Interv Ther 2020 May 16. Epub 2020 May 16.

Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Data on the accurate onset date and serial changes of the complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are limited. This study aimed to assess the incidence, timing, and potential recovery of CAVB following TAVI. Total 696 patients who underwent TAVI were enrolled. Read More

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020 May 14;22(6):23. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk J1-5, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Cardiac involvement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) generally manifests itself as aortic insufficiency, aortitis, disturbance in cardiac conduction, and myocardial dysfunction. We have used a case-based approach to review the current state of the art knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of aortic valve disease and aortitis in patients with AS.

Recent Findings: The risk for aortic valve disease and aortic valve replacement or repair is significantly higher than in people without AS, and this risk increases with age. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 May 12;9(5). Epub 2020 May 12.

Unit for Screening Studies in Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, National Institute of Cardiology, 04-628 Warsaw, Poland.

Mutations in the lamin A/C gene are variably phenotypically expressed; however, it is unclear whether circulating cardiac biomarkers are helpful in the detection and risk assessment of cardiolaminopathies. We sought to assess (1) clinical characteristics including serum biomarkers: high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in clinically stable cardiolaminopathy patients, and (2) outcome among pathogenic/likely pathogenic lamin A/C gene ( mutation carriers. Our single-centre cohort included 53 patients from 21 families. Read More

Surg Case Rep 2020 May 13;6(1):101. Epub 2020 May 13.

Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757, Asahimachi-dori, Niigata City, 951-8510, Japan.

Background: In a Fontan candidate, univentricular pacing may cause delay in interventricular conduction, which induces asynchronous contraction. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is expected to be an effective mode of therapy in such a case.

Case Presentation: A 7-month-old girl, diagnosed with dextrocardia, congenitally corrected transposition of the great artery [situs solitus, L-loop, and L-transposition], ventricular septal defect, infundibular and pulmonary valvular stenosis, and straddling of the tricuspid valve, was considered as a candidate for the Fontan procedure. Read More

Coron Artery Dis 2020 May 11. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Object: The relationship between PR interval prolongation during hospitalization and long-term prognosis in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of PR interval prolongation in a prospective cohort of patients with post-STEMI.

Methods: The values of ionized calcium were calculated as the mean level of two measurements during hospitalization. Read More

Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi 2020 Apr;28(4):361-364

Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China.

With the research advances on bile acid, it has gradually been discovered and confirmed that high levels of bile acids can cause various types of arrhythmias, such as sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation (AF), atrioventricular block and even occurrence of cardiac arrest in severe cases. In addition, it has also been found that fetuses are more susceptible to bile acid-induced arrhythmias than adults. It has been recognized that bile acids can cause arrhythmias through a variety of mechanisms, such as the effect of bile acids on ions and ion channels, receptor-mediated, vagal-mediated, and other pathways. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2020 May 12;20(1):211. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Cardiology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.

Background: Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is common in children and significantly affects their quality of life. To our knowledge, this the first case report of SCN5A gene mutation associated with VVS and third-degree atrioventricular block (atrioventricular block, AVB), which could help pediatricians aware that VVS is not always a benign condition and help to identify VVS children at the risk of sudden death.

Case Presentation: A twelve-year-old male child was admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital of Capital Medical University for chest tightness for 9 days and syncope in July 2018. Read More

PLoS One 2020 12;15(5):e0233129. Epub 2020 May 12.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Heart Vascular Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Temporary pacemakers (TPMs) are usually inserted in an emergency situation. However, there are few reports available regarding which route of access is best or what the most preferred approach is currently in tertiary hospitals. This study aimed to compare procedure times, complication rates, and indications for temporary pacing between the transjugular and transfemoral approaches to TPM placement. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2020 Apr;12(4):1427-1436

Department of Cardiac Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.

Background: Reconstruction of the aorto-mitral curtain (AMC) for invasive double-valve infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare and challenging procedure. This study presents the short- and mid-term results of reconstruction of AMC in a single center.

Methods: From 2016 to 2019, 14 patients with invasive double-valve underwent surgical reconstruction of the AMC, along with either double valve replacement or aortic valve replacement with mitral valve repair. Read More

J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2020 May 11. Epub 2020 May 11.

Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey.

Cardioneuroablation (CNA) is an endocardial ablation technique aiming to prevent the autonomic imbalance occurring in vasovagal syncope (VVS). A 46-year-old female was referred to our center for pacemaker implantation due to recurrent syncopal episodes despite conventional treatments. A 22-s asystole was detected on head-up tilt testing. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2020 Apr;73(4):303-306

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ureshino Medical Center, Ureshino, Japan.

A 71-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for treatment of complete atrioventricular block. By cardiac catheterization, chronic occlusion was confirmed in the right coronary artery and circumflex branch, and coronary artery bypass grafting was planned. Although atrioventricular block disappeared by discontinuance of β-blocker, paroxysmal atrial flutter had been confirmed before surgery. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rev 2020 May 10. Epub 2020 May 10.

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Minas Gerais Hospital das Clínicas, Federal, Belo Horizonte/Minas Gerais. Brazil.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of the current mini-review is to describe the importance of surface ECG for the diagnosis of conduction disorder.

Methods: The MEDLINE/PubMed database was used, with the keywords 'ECG' and 'conduction disorders'; over the past 10 years. Other documents were included because of their relevance. Read More

Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2020 May 8. Epub 2020 May 8.

Abteilung für Elektrophysiologie, Herzzentrum Leipzig und Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland.

His bundle pacing (HBP) allows ventricular excitation through the entire cardiac conduction system, resulting in a better synchronicity and efficacy of contraction compared to myocardial pacing. Due to better, dedicated implantation tools and exact practical implantation recommendations, HBP has developed into a form of stimulation that can be successfully applied with reasonable time and effort in >90% of patients. The rate of lead dislodgement and threshold increase is similar to conventional pacemaker systems. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(19):e20120

Department of Pediatric Cardiology.

Introduction: Aortic regurgitation (AR) was recognized as a major, but rare complication after device closure for perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PmVSD). Most of them are temporary and non-significant. Infectious endocarditis (IE) is another extremely rare post-procedure complication of PmVSD. Read More

Cardiol Young 2020 May 8:1-6. Epub 2020 May 8.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Van Training and Research Hospital, Van, Turkey.

Objective: Fascicular tachycardia is a common form of sustained idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia. This study aimed to achieve successful results with catheter ablation procedures performed through three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping using near-zero fluoroscopy in fascicular tachycardia patients.

Methods And Results: In this study, we included 33 consecutive children with fascicular tachycardia, for whom we performed a transcatheter radiofrequency ablation procedure using the EnSite® system. Read More

Immunol Med 2020 May 6:1-8. Epub 2020 May 6.

Department of Rheumatology, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

We report a case of incipient systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that rapidly progressed to complete atrioventricular block (cAVB). A 20-year-old man was admitted with facial erythema, painless oral aphtha, polyarthritis, and myalgia of each extremity. On admission, he developed first-degree atrioventricular block, pericarditis, pleuritis, renal failure, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, neurophychiatric SLE (left cerebellar infarction), and bacteremia. Read More

IDCases 2020 8;20:e00761. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

California State University, Los Angeles, United States.

() is a spirochete bacterium that is transmitted via the tick. Infection results in Lyme disease with possible cardiac manifestations, which is also known as Lyme carditis. Patients can present with bradycardia due to rapidly fluctuating atrioventricular block (AVB), which is the hallmark of Lyme carditis. Read More

J Innov Card Rhythm Manag 2020 Mar 15;11(3):4031-4035. Epub 2020 Mar 15.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Conduction system damage is the most common complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which frequently requires placement of a permanent pacemaker. Bundle branch reentry (BBR) is a well-recognized mechanism of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the setting of abnormal intraventricular conduction. We describe a case of a patient with post-TAVR intraventricular conduction abnormalities who presented with intermittent advanced atrioventricular block and BBR VT and discuss the potential risks, diagnosis, and management of BBR after TAVR. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 May 2;9(9):e016700. Epub 2020 May 2.

Cardiac Arrhythmia Unit Heart Center Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA.

Adv Gerontol 2020 ;33(1):131-136

Saint-Petersburg State University, 7/9, Universitetskaya nab., St. Petersburg, 199034, Russian Federation, e-mail:

In order to analyze the relationship between the athletic qualification and syndrome of cardiac rhythm and conductivity disturbances in former athletes, a retrospective analysis of medical records of 39 male former athletes with cardiovascular complaints (mean age 61,6±11,3 years, mean duration of career in sports 23,9±17,3 years, mean duration of post-athletic period 20,1±9,9 years) was carried out. The patients were screened for cardiac arrhythmias and underwent echocardiography. The overall prevalence of sustained paroxysms of atrial fibrillation was 42%, increasing with the athletic qualification. Read More

Heart Rhythm 2020 Apr 28. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Background: Successful bipolar radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) has been reported. However, the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of bipolar RFCA of VAs are not fully determined.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bipolar RFCA in treating refractory VAs during long-term follow-up. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Apr 12;4(2):1-7. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Department of Dermatology, Centre Hospitalier Annecy Genevois, 1 Avenue de l'Hôpital, 74370 Metz-Tessy, France.

Background: Pocket complications are common after cardiac implantable electronic device implantation. We report a rare case of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) complicating a permanent pacemaker implantation, and the first literature review of 10 published cases.

Case Summary: Five days after pacemaker implantation for heart failure and 2:1 atrioventricular block, a 93-year-old man had pain in the scar and bleeding on contact. Read More

Neurosciences (Riyadh) 2020 Apr;25(2):104-111

Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail:

Objective: To improve the understanding of the association between electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities and clinical outcomes of patients with all types of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary healthcare hospital on patients with ICH without cardiac disease or renal disease requiring dialysis. Demographic and clinical data were collected from hospital records. Read More